Box Office Preview: Can anything stop "The Hunger Games"?

In its first six days in theaters, The Hunger Games has amassed over $181 million, and this weekend, it’s not likely that phenomenon is slowing down. After a remarkable first week in theaters, which kicked off with the third-best opening of all time ($152.2 million), and the best start ever for a non-sequel, Katniss and company will maintain their first place status in their second weekend in wide release. One big negative for the "Games" is the loss of all its IMAX theaters to a new release (we'll get to that in a minute). It was only guranteed a single week in the large format screens, so we knew this would happen. . But overall buzz from fans is very positive and this property lends itself well to repeat business, at least from the core fan base. Most tentpoles like this drop 50% or so in the second weekend and I think "Games" could follow that lead, dropping closer to 55%. But it will still take the top spot with close to an additional $70 million this weekend. Opening exactly two years after its predecessor Clash of the Titans turned into a massive global blockbuster, the Warner Bros. epic Wrath of the Titans reunites Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, and Ralph Fiennes for another effects-driven adventure about Greek Gods in a blatant attempt to rope in more cash. However, don't forget the negative reception that followed with the Clash of the Titans release, with its shoddy 3D and its horrible storytelling. A lot of people may skip this adventure after being burned the first time around. That being said, it will never duplicate the original's $61 million opening. But, with a record IMAX debut in 469 locations worldwide this weekend, with more to open in Japan later, general action fans should certainly contribute some solid numbers. A film like this will do especially well overseas where this type of content represents more of an event film so a huge global opening will result this weekend. Attacking 3,545 theaters in North America, "Wrath of the Titans" may take in about $36 million in second place. Aiming for the moms-and-daughters crowd, Relativity releases the stylish fairy tale adventure Mirror Mirror starring Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen. The PG-rated film hopes to be a nice spring offering for kids and is sure to skew heavily female. In addition, the family crowd is ready for something new with the month-old Lorax being the only other option. Starpower is low outside of the pretty woman so the film will need to sell itself on the visuals and the brand. Opening in 3,603 theaters, "Mirror Mirror" might take in about $22 million this weekend in third place. The R-rated comedy 21 Jump Street, now in its third weekend, may dip to fourth place as "Wrath of the Titans" cuts into its core male demographic. Still a $13 million weekend seems likely. Just because "The Hunger Games" surpassed Dr. Seuss' The Lorax as the highest-grossing film of 2012 doesn’t make your stellar box office run any less impressive. The Dr. Seuss tale may gross another $7.5 million this weekend rounding out the Top 5. In extremely limited release, buzzy documentary Bully will be released in 5 theaters this weekend with no rating after an extended kerfuffle with the MPAA. We’ll have all the details on its performance in Sunday’s box office report.

"Bully" to be released "unrated"...with stipulations

Usually, when a film is released without a rating by the MPAA, it’s because it contains so much mature content — usually sexual in nature — that it was going to get an NC-17. In turn, major theater chains have traditionally treated unrated films as if they have an NC-17 rating, and won’t screen the film for any audience. AMC Theaters, however, is making an exception for the documentary Bully, which the Weinstein Company announced yesterday would be released this Friday unrated after the MPAA refused to lower its R rating for the film. Today, AMC decided it would allow ticket buyers under the age of 17 to see Bully — with permission. “AMC will be presenting Bully…as not rated,” said the theater-chain in a statement. “Guests younger than 17 can see the film if they are accompanied by a parent or adult guardian, or if they present a signed parental permission slip.” That permission slip will be available on Wednesday at this link on AMC’s website. The film opens at the AMC Lincoln Square 13 in New York, and the AMC Century City 15 in Los Angeles on Friday, and expands into other theaters nationwide over the coming weeks

"Glee" news includes Lindsay Lohan and Whoopi Goldberg casting

The Glee news is on fire today. Lindsay Lohan is in talks for a guest spot on the show. Lohan, who was reportedly steamed after Gwyneth Paltrow’s Holly Holliday made a crack about her on an episode last season, has apparently decided to turn the other cheek and would play herself on the Fox hit, as a celebrity judge for the Nationals competition. In addition, Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg will appear in a multi-episode arc as New York professor Carmen Tibideaux, who will be evaluating the McKinley pair of Rachel (Lea Michele) and Kurt (Chris Colfer) for admission to the university. As first reported by insiders, Goldberg’s first appearance will be on May 1.

Chloë Grace Moretz attached to "Carrie"

After rising to the top of a tight pack Chloë Grace Moretz has found herself in the spotlight and soon to be covered in pig blood since she was offered the title role in Kimberly Peirce‘s Carrie reboot, based on Stephen King‘s 1974 and the subsequent Oscar-nominated film directed by Brian de Palma. Jodie Foster and Julianne Moore are reportedly being considered to play Moretz’s mother.

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth NOT engaged

Miley Cyrus has taken to Twitter today to deny that she is engaged to Hunger Games actor Liam Hemsworth, thanks to a large, sparkly rock on her left ring finger spotted at multiple events over the last week. “I’m not engaged,” Cyrus tweeted. “I’ve worn this same ring on this finger since November! People just wanna find something to tal about! It’s a topaz people!” The pair has been dating since costarring in 2009′s The Last Song.

Watch "Breaking Dawn -- Part 2" trailer now!

It screened in theaters before The Hunger Games this weekend, so chances are good that fans already saw the new teaser for Breaking Dawn — Part 2. The torch may have been passed temporarily to a new female YA hero, but these teasing glimpses of Bella flexing her newfound capabilities will remind viewers that the Twilight saga isn’t finished yet. “After 18 years of being utterly ordinary,” Bella says, “I found out that I can finally shine.” Watch it below:

EXCLUSIVE: Jimmy Kimmel to host the Emmys

Jimmy Kimmel has been named Emmys host, I have exclusively found out! ABC’s late-night TV star will preside over the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards when the network broadcasts the ceremony on September 23.It’s his first time as host. He;s a good pick for the ceremony and will bring his unique blend of talent, humor and satire to the show!

James Cameron reaches deepest part of Pacific Ocean

Shortly before 6 p.m. ET Sunday, director James Cameron reached the “Challenger Deep,” the lowest part of the Pacific Ocean, in an historic solo dive. He’s the first man to reach the spot in a manned submersible since U.S. Navy Lt. Don Walsh and Swiss oceanographer Jacques Piccard made the trip in the bathyscaphe Trieste in 1960. Cameron will spend up to six hours on the seafloor in his specially designed submersible DEEPSEA CHALLENGER collecting samples for scientific research and photographing and filming the Mariana Trench. His depth was recorded at 35,756 feet. The dive is part of DEEPSEA CHALLENGE, a joint scientific expedition by Cameron, National Geographic, and Rolex to conduct deep-ocean research and exploration. Cameron’s first words upon reaching the bottom of the world: “All systems OK.”

Box Office Report: "Hunger Games" opens big with $155 million

What a huge weekend it was at the box office this weekend! The Hunger Games surpassed the wildest industry expectations to debut to $155 million, according to studio estimates. That’s the third-biggest opening weekend ever, behind only Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 ($169.2 million) and The Dark Knight ($158.4 million). It’s also the best debut ever for a non-sequel, crushing 2010′s Alice in Wonderland ($116.1 million), and it represents the top opening weekend for any picture outside the summer movie season. And, yes, it must be mentioned — "The Hunger Games" opened stronger than all four Twilight films. "The Hunger Games" was front-loaded this weekend, but not to the same extent as a Twilight or recent Harry Potter movie. The sci-fi action film, about a dystopian society that forces 24 kids to battle to the death, opened to an estimated $68 million on Friday — the fifth-best opening day ever. It then dropped 25% on Saturday for $51 million. A Friday-to-Saturday decline of 25% may sound like a lot, but consider that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 fell 53%, while The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1 dipped 44%. It's pretty clear that the "Games" has found a more broad audience than either of those other franchises. The decision to release "The Hunger Games" on IMAX screens for a one-week run achieved handsome results, with the movie collecting $10.6 million at 268 theaters. That’s the best IMAX debut for a 2-D film that isn’t a sequel. Next weekend, IMAX is contractually obligated to replace "The Hunger Games" with Wrath of the Titans. Oh, right, there were other movies playing this weekend too. Last week’s winner, 21 Jump Street, fell a mild 41% for $21.3 million. After two weeks, the R-rated comedy starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum has earned an impressive $71.1 million. In third, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax slipped 43% for $13.1 million, bringing its cumulative total to $177.3 million. In fourth place was John Carter, down a steep 63% for $5 million. The $250 million epic has so far grossed $62.3 million in three weeks — less than what "The Hunger Games" made in one day. Rounding out the top five was the Navy SEALs war film Act of Valor with $2.1 million, pushing its tally to $65.9 million Among limited releases, the pro-life drama October Baby debuted to a respectable $1.7 million at 390 theaters. The Indonesian martial arts film The Raid: Redemption opened to $221,000 at 14 theaters for a solid per-location average of more than $15,000. And the critically acclaimed British drama The Deep Blue Sea, starring Rachel Weisz and Tom Hiddleston, mustered a mediocre $120,000 at 29 theaters.

1. The Hunger Games -- $155 million
2. 21 Jump Street -- $21.3 million
3. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax -- $13.1 million
4. John Carter -- $5.0 million
5. Act of Valor -- $2.1 million
6. Project X -- $1.95 million
7. A Thousand Words -- $1.9 million
8. October Baby -- $1.7 million
9. Safe House -- $1.4 million
10. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island -- $1.4 million

Box Office Preview: "The Hunger Games" set to break records

A little know film called The Hunger Games is debuting this weekend. You may have heard of it. Let me break down the simple plot elements: Girl fights in a batle to death. Bloodletting ensues. Sure, there is more to it all, but get ready folks, because this one is about to make a TON of money this weekend. As I was writing this, I received an e-mail from Fandango claiming that "The Hunger Games" is currently selling 10 tickets per second on the ticketing website. Fandango also said that the film represents 96% of all its sales today, and that more than 3,000 showtimes have already sold out. Taht's one positive sign. Let's examine some of other things it has going for it. First, as if you didn’t know, it’s based on the first in a trilogy of sci-fi novels by Suzanne Collins. Second, the buzz for the movie has been building and building over the course of a year, fueled by Lionsgate’s adroit marketing campaign, which includes websites that allows fans to be assigned to a Panem district or take a virtual tour of the Capitol. Third, young men have been showing much more of an interest in "The Hunger Games" than the romance-driven Twilight movies. Also, the generally positive reviews will certainly help persuade anyone who’s on the fence. The negatives? It isn't a sequel, which tend to do big business at the box office. The other consideration is that the film’s plot, about a futuristic society in which kids battle other kids to the death, might be deemed too intense by some parents of younger children. The first three Potter movies were PG, whereas "The Hunger Games" is PG-13 (and some would say it’s a hard PG-13). "The Hunger Games" will certainly be front-loaded this weekend due to midnight screenings tonight and fans rushing out to see it Friday night. The movie’s midnight gross will be the first indication of how big its opening will really be. Theaters are opting to play the film on as many of their screens as possible. For instance, the Danbury, CT AMC theater is showing the movie on 12 of its screens at midnight. The top midnight debut belongs to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2, which tallied $43.5 million. "The Hunger Games" will likely earn $20 million to $25 million from midnight shows. If that figure passes $30 million, then watch out. "The Hunger Games" is starting out at 4,137 locations. Also, 270 of its theaters will be IMAX screens, giving it a slight surplus-charge advantage. In the end, look for "The Hunger Games" to gross close to $130 million this weekend. 21 Jump Street rocked the box office last weekend with a powerful opening but will lose much of the young adult audience to "Hunger Games" this time around. Audience buzz has been good but not great so a sizable drop is likely. A 45% decline could result giving the hit about $20 million for the weekend, enough for a second place finish. Dr. Seuss' The Lorax has only a few days left of being 2012's top-grossing domestic film. Look for a 40% drop to around $13 million in third place. John Carter may see another half of its audience erode away leaving the super-expensive actioner with roughly $7 million in fourth place. A Thousand Words could round out the Top 5 with $3 million. Look for reports all weekend as to the status of the box office take of "The Hunger Games" and the full Top 10 on Sunday!

Whitney Houston died from accidental drowning

Whitney Houston's official cause of death was due to accidental drowning, a source close to the investigation has confessed. The singer, 48, was also found to have cocaine in her system at the time of her death, the source confirms. Contributing factors of her death included heart disease and cocaine use, an investigation found. The Los Angeles County coroner's office confirmed the news Thursday. The report also found that Houston had marijuana, Benadryl and other medication in her system. Houston was found submerged in the bathtub of her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and her death has been ruled as accidental. Several bottles of prescription medications were found in her hotel room, but coroner’s officials said they weren’t in excessive quantities. Beverly Hills police said in a statement there was no evidence of wrongdoing in connection with Houston’s death.

"The Situation" enters rehab for drugs

After rumors circulated online that Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino had entered rehab, the Jersey Shore star Tweeted, "Don't believe everything you hear or read." Now he's gone a bit further to better explain his situation. "I have voluntarily taken steps to get control of a prescription medication problem I had due to exhaustion," Sorrentino, 29, wrote on his website. "I have spent the past several weeks getting treatment for this problem and recuperating from my work and appearance schedule. I appreciate my fans support and love you guys." On Tuesday, his rep clarified that he was not in a rehab facility, but rather, was "at an undisclosed location for for much-needed rest and recuperation after his extensive production and appearance schedule."

Watch Madonna's "Girl Gone Wild" video

Madonna has released a new video for her song "Girl Gone Wild" 12 days after the Material Girl teased it. Madge looks great in the video, a mainly black and white tribute. Of course there is the requisite writhing, hip grinding, a rousing dance sequence, and a smoldering mantourage. It is, in a word, awesome. Check it all unfold below and make sure you get MDNA when it debuts on March 26.

"30 Rock" to stage second live episode

Yup, it's true! Tina Fey and Co. apparently had a grand time doing their first live episode of 30 Rock last season and are set to do another this season. It will air April 26. The NBC comedy, currently in its sixth season, staged two live performances in October 2010 (one for each coast) that were not only relatively well received but also highly rated, posting a 43 percent gain in the key demo. The episode featured guest appearances from Matt Damon, Rachel Dratch, Chris Parnell, Bill Hader, and Jon Hamm.

Jessica Biel to play Vera Miles in "Psycho" movie

Jessica Biel has joined the cast of Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho, playing actress Vera Miles. Miles played Lila Crane, the heroine of the 1960 horror classic who visits the Bates Motel in search of her missing sister, Janet Leigh’s doomed Marion, to be portrayed by Scarlett Johansson. Anthony Hopkins plays Hitchcock and Helen Mirren will play the director’s wife, Alma. James D’Arcy (W.E.) is reportedly up for the role of Anthony Perkins.

Trailer Blazer: "Snow White and the Huntsman"

The new trailer for Snow White and the Huntsman is a three-minute visual assault. There’s an evil golden mirror-man, and a forest filled with magical ogre creatures and lizard-pixies, and Charlize Theron doing a whole lot of really evil poses. We finally get to hear Kristen Stewart’s fantasy-British accent. Chris Hemsworth growls. And there’s a quick glimpse of Bob Hoskins as a dwarf. The Feature Trailer is below as well as the extended five minute version. Enjoy!

Box Office Report: "21 Jump Street" hops to No. 1

The R-rated comedy 21 Jump Street (starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill) topped the box office on over the weekend with a tremendous $35 million in its first 3 days. That's a tremendous amount, since the film had an R-rating attatched to it. An opening with this kind of cash is usually reserved for Summer tentpoles. Can anyone say sequel? The rest of the box office wasn’t nearly as exciting. Dr Seuss' The Lorax churned up another $22.8 million in second place, and has accumulated $158 million in three weeks time. In third, John Carter dropped a troubling 55% from last weekend for only $13.5 million. Looks like those hoping for a sudden uptick for the $250 million bomb can stop holding their breath. It has only pulled in $53 million domestically since last weekend. Rounding out the Top 5 were Project X and A Thousand Words with respective grosses of $4 million and $3.8 million. Also of note is the release of Casa de mi Padre, the latest comedy starring Will Ferrell. It debuted in a surprising ninth place with $2.2 million despite being in 382 sites. It had a healthy $5,759 per-site-average. Jeff, Who Lives at Home opened in 254 sites and scored a dismal $840,000. Nicolas Cage had a dismal release too, opening Seeking Justice on 231 screens, grossing $260,000. The complete Top 10 appears below.

1. 21 Jump Street -- $35 million
2. Dr. Seuss' The Lorax -- $22.8 million
3. John Carter -- $13.5 million
4. Project X -- $4 million
5. A Thousand Words -- $3.8 million
6. Act of Valor -- $3.7 million
7. Safe House -- $2.8 million
8. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island -- $2.5 million
9. Casa de mi Padre -- $2.2 million
10. This Means War -- $2.1 million

Box Office Preview: "21 Jump Street" will jump past "The Lorax"

After John Carter’s disappointing opening frame, this weekend brings moviegoers only one new wide release, 21 Jump Street, which looks like a potential smash that could birth a franchise. Although a number of limited releases are hitting multiplexes, they aren’t likely to make much impact on the box office. "21 Jump Street" is the first R-rated comedy since last summer that appears to have a legitimate shot at recapturing raunchy box office magic. Sure, Jonah Hill’s last R-rated comedic effort, The Sitter only earned $30.4 million, and Channing Tatum’s most recent hit, The Vow ($118.7 million) is a weepy romantic drama, but together, the two stars look like they might have a comedy smash in their collaboration. Reviews are shockingly positive and word of mouth could help. An overperformance is possible although R-rated funny flicks rarely open north of $30 million outside of summer and this one is more comedy than action. Plus many young men will be distracted by the start of March Madness this weekend. Opening in 3,121 theaters, "21 Jump Street" might take in about $29 million this weekend. Dr. Seuss' The Lorax fell by a larger-than-average 45% last weekend, mostly due to the fact that it opened to a gargantuan $70.2 million. With no new family movies entering theaters, expect 2012′s biggest hit to drop by a slimmer 30% down to $26 million, enough for a second place finish. The $250 million adventure John Carter grossed a hugely troubling $30.1 million last weekend, and although most analysts don’t want to stamp a big, fat “BOMB” over the title just yet, the reality is, there’s no reason why the Disney sci-fi film should hold any better than other fanboy-targeting titles. The news will get even worse this weekend: Even if "John Carter" holds with a 50% decline, the film is still looking at a sad $15 million weekend, landing it in third place. Fourth and fifth place will go to Project X ($6 million) and Act of Valor ($4 million), respectively. A few films are coming in smaller release, as mentioned above: Kudos to Will Ferrell for boldly trying something new and risky. The comic superstar goes the Mexsploitation route with his Spanish language film Casa De Mi Padre. The R-rated film will have a tough time trying to figure out its audience as mainstream fans of Ferrell, arthouse auds, and the Latino community may all skip this one. This film is getting a conservative release in just 382 locations from Lionsgate, so it may not even hit the Top 10. Paramount also gives a limited national release to its Jason Segal dramedy Jeff Who Lives At Home which invades 254 locations on Friday. The R-rated pic co-stars Ed Helms and Susan Sarandon and has garnered solid reviews but still faces an uphill battle commercially especially with a comedy powerhouse like "21 Jump Street" opening. And lastly, the Nicholas Cage thriller Seeking Justice arrives in 230 theaters this weekend, barely making a dent. Check back on Sunday for a look at the charts.

"Dark Shadows" trailer: Johnny Depp brings the funny

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton are bringing their own special brand of laughs to the upcoming feature film Dark Shadows. This movie based on the 1966-1971 supernatural soap opera turns out to take its source material not-so-seriously. When the buried-undead bloodsucker Barnabas Collins is freed from his tomb in the year 1972, he finds the time period … a little funky. Part gothic, part comedy and all hints of Burton palpable throughout, it looks to be a rather different take of what the original Dark Shadows was. I, for one, am all for it! I love the tone of the trailer and the finished product is sure to leave Depp fans wanting more. We’ll see if this offbeat treatment continues to function when Dark Shadows debuts May 11.

Katie Couric talk show announces start date

Katie Couric’s new syndicated talk show, which has officially been dubbed Katie, will premiere on Monday, Sept. 10. The hour-long talk show executive produced by former NBC honcho (and Couric’s ex-boss on NBC’s Today) Jeff Zucker has been cleared in 94% of the country and will originate from ABC’s Manhattan headquarters. There will be a live studio audience.

Whitney Houston's "The Bodyguard" heads back to theaters

Whitney Houston’s biggest box-office hit is coming back to theaters for a one-night event. The Bodyguard, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, will play in 400 movie theaters across the country on March 28. The one-night event will take place just one day after Warner Bros. releases The Bodyguard 20th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray. The romantic thriller follows the relationship between Houston’s multi-hyphenate superstar and the former Secret Service bodyguard (Kevin Costner) hired to protect her from a stalker.

Former "Superman" Brandon Routh expecting baby with wife Courtney Ford

Superman Returns and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World actor Brandon Routh and his wife, actress Courtney Ford, are expecting their first child. Routh married Ford, who recently appeared on True Blood and Parenthood, in November 2007. They met in 2003 when Routh was working at the Los Angeles Lucky Strike where Ford’s brother happened to be holding his rehearsal dinner. The child is due this summer. No more details have been released at this time.

HBO cancel "Luck"

HBO has decided to cancel production on Luck following the death of a third horse on the series. The network released this statement: “It is with heartbreak that executive producers David Milch and Michael Mann together with HBO have decided to cease all future production on the series Luck. Safety is always of paramount concern. We maintained the highest safety standards throughout production, higher in fact than any protocols existing in horseracing anywhere with many fewer incidents than occur in racing or than befall horses normally in barns at night or pastures. While we maintained the highest safety standards possible, accidents unfortunately happen and it is impossible to guarantee they won’t in the future. Accordingly, we have reached this difficult decision. We are immensely proud of this series, the writing, the acting, the filmmaking, the celebration of the culture of horses, and everyone involved in its creation.” The first-year drama had already earned a second-season pickup, so production was underway on the second of 10 new episodes when a horse was injured and euthanized Tuesday at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. The American Humane Association is investigating the set. The show’s final two episodes will still air.

Academy sets 85th Academy Awards date

Time already to plan your Oscars 2013 screening party? ABC announced today that the 85th Academy Awards will air on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. The nominations will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. The ceremony will take place at the Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood and will be televised to more than 225 countries.

Jennie Garth and Peter Facinelli file for divorce

Twilight star Peter Facinelli and Beverly Hills, 90210 alum Jennie Garth are divorcing after 11 years of marriage. ”While we have decided to end our marriage, we both share the same deep love and devotion to our children,” said the stars. “We remain dedicated to raising our beautiful daughters together. We ask for privacy and respect during this time.” The couple met on the set of TV movie An Unfinished Affair and have three daughters under the age of 14. Garth will next appear in a CMT reality show Jennie Garth: A Little Bit Country, chronicling her move out of Hollywood. Though Facinelli will not appear in the series, a rep from CMT confirms that the split will be dealt with throughout the show.

Box Office Report: "The Lorax" wins a crowded weekend
There’s some good news and some bad news for Disney this morning. Good news: The studio’s John Carter led the box office on Friday with an estimated $9.8 million (including $500,000 from midnight showings), giving the $250 million sci-fi epic at least one moment at the top. The bad news: It was short lived as the film lost steam over the rest of the weekend. In the end, "The Lorax" scored a top spot win with an additional $39.1 million, falling only 44%. With that take, the total now shoots to a large $121 million for the animated 3D film. As stated, "John Carter" had a rough weekend: The film, which was helmed by the Oscar-winning Pixar director Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL-E), was pegged as a potential flop months ago. Only until the very last moment did Disney’s marketing campaign get around to actually revealing the film’s story: Former Confederate captain gets teleported to Mars, where he can leap great distances due to the planet’s lesser gravity. A generic title (which was shortened from John Carter of Mars) and mixed reviews didn’t help matters either. In the end, the film that cost Disney $250 million to make, scored only $30.6 million in the opening weekend, which will only get less and less every week. The R-rated teen party pic Project X fell 45% for $11.6 million in third place. So far, it has grossed a rather remarkable $40 million. . The R-rated shot-in-one-take horror flick Silent House mustered only $7.01 million over the wekeend. Reviews ewere mixed, but many fans are voicing their disgust with the film, giving it a sour "F" CinemaScore. And the Navy SEALs war film Act of Valor held up fairly well its third weekend, dropping 48% for a rather close fifth place finish with $7 million. The PG-13 comedy A Thousand Words, which was shot all the way back in 2008 and then put on the shelf while DreamWorks split from Paramount, took in just $6.4 million. It landed in sixth place, which is not a good start. In other words, these last few years at the box office haven’t been particularly kind to Eddie Murphy. The last of the new releases, Friends with Kids, took in $2.2 million, falling just outside the Top 10. Check out the full list below.

1. Dr. Seuss' The Lorax -- $39. 1 million
2. John Carter -- $30.6 million
3. Project X -- $11.6 million
4. Silent House -- $7.01 million
5. Act of Valor — $7.0 million
6. A Thousand Words — $6.4 million
7. Safe House -- $5 million
8. The Vow -- $4 million
9. This Means War -- $3,8 million
10. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island -- $ 3.7 million

Box Office Preview: "John Carter" no match for "The Lorax"

A new crop of films are hitting theaters this weekend, but I don't think any of them has the power to overtake Dr. Seuss' The Lorax. Universal’s 3-D animated fable stunned the industry by collecting $70.2 million last weekend — the best debut ever for a Dr. Seuss adaptation. Despite mediocre reviews, families seemed to adore the picture. And with weak competition this weekend (and nothing else that’s specifically targeting young kids), "The Lorax" should see a pretty good hold. A mild 40% drop should result in a second weekend at the top of the charts with an additional $42 million in its bank. With a reported production cost of $250-300 million, John Carter arrives Friday as the year's priciest gamble. The PG-13 film based on a century-old sci-fi novel tells of an American war veteran transported to Mars who finds himself caught in the middle of a battle for control of the red planet between local beings. The property may command much respect with hardcore fans of science fiction, but mainstream appeal is not too high. Starpower is also low as the lead is not well known and co-stars like Willem Dafoe (who has been doing the publicity rounds) and Bryan Cranston do not exactly sell tickets. And reviews have been mixed which will hurt as a critically acclaimed film of this kind would bring out a lot more curiosity from action fans. 3D and IMAX prices will help boost the grosses, but the high cost will also repel some would-be patrons who will look at the 2D version as being an inferior product. Female appeal is weak so don't expect a broad audience here. All this adds up to a weak second place opening in the $28 million range. For the sake of all those involved, I hope I’m wrong. The high school party pic Project X had an impressive debut of its own but word of mouth has not been as strong. "John Carter" will also distract young men so a 55% fall could result giving the Warner Bros. title about $10 million for the weekend, resulting in a third place finish. The R-rated horror film Silent House, a remake of the 2010 Uruguayan movie of the same name, stars indie breakout Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene). It has an intriguing gimmick — the story is presented in real time as a single uninterrupted shot. But reviews have been mixed and male members of the horror faithful might take a pass here. Attacking 2,124 theaters, "Silent House" could debut with about $9 million, landing it in fourth place. The R-rated Navy SEALs war film Act of Valor declined 45% last week. "John Carter" may steal away some older male viewers, but there shouldn’t be too much overlap between the two movies. Another 45% drop seems reasonable, placing it in fifth place with $8.5 million. In honor of plot of comedy A Thousand Words about a man (Eddie Murphy) who discovers he only has 1,000 words left to say before dying, let’s make every word count and keep this short: It's going to tank. "A Thousand Words" was shot in 2008 and was intended to hit theaters in 2009, but it got held up due to DreamWorks’ split from Paramount. After changing its release date a gazillion times, it’s finally here, playing at only 1,890 theaters and receiving atrocious reviews. I think it will be sixth this weekend with a dreadful $4 million. Opening nationwide in a more limited release is the indie comedy Friends With Kids which debuts in 374 theaters across North America. With an ensemble cast that features Maya Rudolph, Kristin Wiig, Jon Hamm, Megan Fox, and Edward Burns, the R-rated pic about two platonic pals that decide to have a baby together but keep their independent dating lives intact has been receiving generally good reviews and should skew a little more female. It won't be a huge force at the box office, but it's worth a look. As always, the box office report will be posted on Sunday.

Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer as Tonto and The Lone Ranger

With shooting underway in New Mexico on a big-budget remake of The Lone Ranger, producer Jerry Bruckheimer leaked the first photo of stars Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer in full make-up and costume with a Tweet that said simply: “Tonto and The Lone Ranger Ride Again!”Whta do you make of it? Does it look too good to be ture or should they have left the franchise alone? Post it.

Whitney Houston's will leaves everything to Bobbi Kristina

Whitney Houston left everything to her 19-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina. The pop superstar’s will doesn’t mention specific assets, but leaves all of her furnishings, clothing, ersonal effects, jewelry and cars to her surviving children. Bobbi Kristina was her only child. Houston’s money will be put in a trust. Her sister-in-law and manager, Patricia Houston (left), was appointed the administrator of the estate. Upon turning 21, Bobbi Kristina will receive part of the money, more of it at age 25 and the balance at age 30. Houston’s trustees can give her money from the trust for various purposes, including tuition, to buy a home and to start a business. The will was signed on Feb. 3, 1993, about a month before Houston gave birth to her daughter. The 48-year-old died Feb. 11 in California.

Jason Segel not involved in "Muppets" sequel

Though a sequel for The Muppets has been greenlit, one star who was integral to bringing the franchise into the new millennium won’t be a part of it, report inside sources. Jason Segel told reporters he won’t be signing up for another round with Kermit and Co. “It’s true [that I won't be in the sequel],” said Segel, “but it’s totally amicable. My goal was to bring the Muppets back and I did that, leaving them in very good hands.” Segel said he wants “to pursue more human-related projects,” adding, “All I wanted to do was to set the stage for them to do whatever they wanted. I’m sure I’ll return in some capacity here and there, but that was half a decade of my life. Five years of hard work. I’m ready for a little puppet break.”

"90210" nabs a Backstreet Boy

In the May 8 episode of 90210, Naomi hosts a bachelorette party that features an unexpected visit from Nick Carter, who will play himself. The Backstreet Boys member is invited to the party because the bride had a crush on him since junior high school. Carter’s previous TV appearances include 8 Simple Rules and American Dreams. 90210 has hosted lots of musical guests over the last year, including Train, All-American Rejects, Cobra Starship, Kellie Pickler, Theophilus London, Nelly and Snoop Dogg.

Is Snooki pregnant and engaged??

Days after a report surfaced that Jersey Shore star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi was pregnant, insiders now reports that Polizzi and boyfriend Jionni LaValle, the presumed father of the baby, are engaged. “I know he’s the one so I know the ring’s gonna come soon,” said Polizzi in a Jan. 12 interview with People. “Well, not soon-soon. He knows it should be big, ‘cause if it’s small I’m saying no. Like, ‘Get another ring!’” A rep for Polizzi had no comment at this time. Reports of LaValle’s paternity and Polizzi’s pregnancy in general are still unconfirmed by Polizzi’s camp.

Elizabeth Berkley expecting first child

Elizabeth Berkley and husband Greg Lauren, an artist and clothing designer, are expecting a baby, her rep confirms. “In life there are moments you cherish forever and this is one of them,” the former Saved by the Bell star, 39, said in a statement. “Greg and I are so excited to be expecting our first child this summer. We couldn’t be more grateful and overjoyed," it concluded. She's so excited, isn't she???

Dwayne Johnson signs on as "Hercules"

Looks like Dwayne Johnson will finally have to start working out. The former WWE superstar has signed up to play the title role in director Brett Ratner's Hercules, based on the 2008 graphic novel Hercules: The Thracian War. Filming is due to start in October. Johnson’s also signed on to Ciudad, playing a soldier of fortune hired to rescue the daughter of a drug lord in the Brazil-set film, to be helmed by Community and Happy Endings directors Joe and Anthony Russo.

"Terra Nova" canceled by Fox

Looks like we may never find out the fate of all the characters that reside in Terra Nova. Fox has cancelled the prehistoric dino drama after one season, ending months of will-they-or-won’t-they speculation. Studio 20th Century Fox TV, however, says they fight Terra Nova‘s extinction event by shopping the series to other networks. The show started off strong, but the creative choices going forward always left a lot to be deisred. I hear that the higher-ups at FOX weren't thrilled with the progression of the series. Terra Nova will likely end up the highest-rated cancelled show of the season. It averaged 10.1 million viewers and a 3.6 adult demo rating once you add in a week of DVR playback.

Box Office Report: "The Lorax" has a huge opening with $70.7M

The Lorax, the latest Dr. Seuss book to be turned into a Hollywood film, did a wonderful thing when it came to the box office: it rejuvinated box office numbers in a big way, earning an astonishing $70.7 million according to early estimates. It’s also a huge victory for distributor Universal and the young production company Illumination Entertainment, the latter of which is now three for three after the box-office success of Despicable Me and Hop. The large sum is noteable for the biggest opening since last November’s The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1. It started out strong with $17.4 million on Friday and only went up from there: It scored a tremendous $31.3 million on Saturday. In other good news, the latest from Dr. Seuss should have good staying power over the next few weeks, so get used to hearing from the Lorax for a while now. In second place was Warner Bros.’ teen party pic Project X, which scored $20.8 million over the weekend. Made for just $12 million, "Project X" joins The Devil Inside and Chronicle as the year’s third “found footage” hit. Young men, who seemingly abandoned the multiplex during 2011, turned out in big numbers for "Project X" — 58% of the film’s audience was male, and 67% was under 25 years old. It would have done a little better if it wasn't saddled with a strict R-rating that kept away younger kids. Among holdovers, the Navy SEALs war film Act of Valor dropped 44% for $13.7 million over the weekend. The Denzel Washington-Ryan Reynolds thriller Safe House was down 34% for $7.2 million. On Wednesday, it became the year’s second movie to cross $100 million, after The Vow. Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds landed in fifth place with a large 55% tumble, resulting in an additional $7 million. The complete Top 10 appears below.

1. Dr. Seuss' The Lorax -- $70.7 million
2. Project X -- $20.8 million
3. Act of Valor -- $13.7 million
4. Safe House -- $7.2 million
5. Tyler Perry's Good Deeds -- $7 million
6. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island -- $6.9 million
7. The Vow -- $6.1 million
8. This Means War -- $5.6 million
9. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance -- $4.7 million
10. The Artist -- $3.9 million

Alex O'Loughlin to seek prescription drug treatment

Hawaii 5-0 star Alex O’Loughlin will miss at least one episode of the CBS drama to seek drug treatment. “Alex is taking a short break to receive supervised treatment for prescription pain medication due to a recent shoulder injury,” says his rep. His absence is not expected to affect production. The drama has filmed 19 episodes and is currently shooting the 20th for CBS. The drama is expected to complete its production order for the season, and is apparently ahead of schedule. “We respect and support Alex’s decision,” according to a statement from CBS TV Studios. “Everyone at CBS TV Studios and Hawaii 5-0 wishes him well and we look forward to his return.”

Box Office Preview: “The Lorax” will make green this weekend

Only a couple of new films are hitting theaters this weekend, but one has the potential to generate some strong box office mojo. Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is well-positioned to take first place and may even lead by more than a two-to-one margin over its closest competitor. The brand is powerful and while the story may not rank among the top two or three tales from the celebrated children's book author, it is popular enough to lure in a large audience. Parents who grew up on Dr. Seuss will be more than happy to stay and sit through the film too. Plus extra high ticket prices from the 3D and IMAX screens will help boost the numbers. Reviews have been decent and the film carries some starpower from its voice cast which includes Danny DeVito, Betty White, Zac Efron, and Taylor Swift. Droppig into 3,600 theaters, “The Lorax” could open to a cool $45 million in first place. Project X is also debuting, and it’s a new spin on the found footage genre, which previously focused on sci-fi. The R-rated film about a group of high school kids who host a house party that gets wildly out of control will play mainly to the under-25 set as well as to older folks who are still young at heart. This may seem like a similar marketing strategy compared to another recent film: Fox's Chronicle bowed to $22 million a month ago but that carried a PG-13 rating that opened the doors to a larger audience of younger teens and earned great reviews. “Project X” rolls into more than 3,000 theaters and could take in about $18 million this weekend, enough for a second place finish. Last weekend, the military actioner Act of Valor seized control of the box office and earned big numbers in the process. But the film barely grew from Friday to Saturday indicating an upfront audience so the second weekend may see a reasonable decline. “Act of Valor” might fall by 45% to about $13 million, landing it in third place. As the only major family film in theaters for the past three weeks, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island has held up incredibly well, dropping just 27% and 33% its second and third weekends, respectively. But now it has to contend with "The Lorax," which should push Journey 2‘s decline to around 40%, resulting in a fourth place finish with $8 million. Tyler Perry's Good Deeds should round out the Top 5 with $6.5 million.